(To watch the full media session with sign language interpretation, click here.)

Chief Executive John Lee today condemned the US House of Representatives’ passage of the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office Certification Act, which he said will only harm US trade ties with Hong Kong.

Mr Lee made a statement on the matter before attending an Executive Council meeting this morning. He said the move by the US is a political tactic to suppress the development China and Hong Kong.

“I strongly condemn the US House of Representatives for making use of the so-called Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office Certification Act to slander the Hong Kong laws on safeguarding national security, and also smear the human rights situation in Hong Kong.”

The Chief Executive said US politicians were acting for their own political gain, but that their actions will damage normal trade relations, particularly those between Hong Kong and the US.

“If the US is determined to go its way, then our country has already indicated that we will retaliate with strong and resolute measures,” he added.